Federal Minister for Construction Verena Hubertz (SPD) is calling for intensified efforts to combat the effects of high temperatures, warning of their consequences. Speaking to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Minister Hubertz stated the need to “make our cities fit for the future” in light of climate change.
She emphasized that “oppressive heat and hot nights offer little respite for everyone and make daily life more difficult – whether working on a construction site, in a daycare center, or in a nursing home”. Hubertz further noted that this poses a particular challenge for older people and children.
The Minister outlined strategies for mitigating urban heat, including “more green spaces and parks, more shade, cooler corners, lighter building facades and sustainable materials like wood.
Hubertz also highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting cities in their heat preparedness efforts. “Climate protection and climate adaptation are already a prerequisite for funding programs for urban development” she explained. Funding for urban development has been doubled to €1.58 billion by 2029.
Germany has experienced a threefold increase in the average number of heat days per year since the 1950s due to human-caused global warming. Without a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, cities like Berlin could face 20 to 35 heat days annually between 2071 and 2100. Adherence to the Paris Climate Agreement could limit the number of heat days to an average of ten to sixteen per year.